Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;MI00599&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘MI00599’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; freely flowering habit with typically two to three racemes per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; and showy white-colored flowers with red purple-colored venation.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘MI00599’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘MI00599’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Lochristi, Belgium. The objective of thebreeding program is to develop new freely flowering Phalaenopsis plantswith good leaf shape and unique and attractive flower patterns andcoloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination inDecember, 2008 in Lochristi, Belgium of a proprietary selection ofPhalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number PH00743, not patented, asthe female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsishybrida identified as code number PHM00230, not patented, as the male,or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered andselected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouseenvironment in Lochristi, Belgium in March, 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitropropagation (meristem culture) in a controlled environment in Lochristi,Belgium since July, 2012 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘MI00599’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘MI00599’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsisplant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Freely flowering habit with typically two to three racemes        per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   5. Showy white-colored flowers with red purple-colored venation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in flower color as flowers plantsof the female parent selection are white in color.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of themale parent selection are violet in color with distinct venation. Inaddition, plants of the new Phalaenopsis are more freely flowering.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Phalalodu’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conductedin Lochristi, Belgium, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Phalalodu’ in flower color as flowers of the newPhalaenopsis have a less distinct venation pattern. Additionally, plantsof the new Phalaenopsis are more freely flowering than plants of‘Phalalodu’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘MI00599’ grown in a container.

The photograph at the top of second sheet is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘MI00599’.

The photograph at the bottom of second sheet is a close-up view of atypical flower of ‘MI00599’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the spring in 12-cm containersin a glass-covered greenhouse in Lochristi, Belgium and under culturalpractices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. Duringthe production of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 18°C. to 29° C. and light levels ranged from 150 Watt/m² to 375 Watt/m².Plants were 76 weeks from propagation when the photographs anddescription were taken. In the following description, color referencesare made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition,except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘MI00599’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number PH00743, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number PHM00230, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro propagation (tissue culture).        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About nine to ten weeks at            temperatures about 26° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About ten to eleven weeks at            temperatures about 26° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 140 to            160 days at temperatures about 26° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 150 to            180 days at temperatures about 26° C.        -   Root description.—Thick, fleshy; typically grey green in            color, towards the apex, close to light green; actual color            of the roots dependent on substrate composition, water            quality, fertilizer, substrate temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Non-branching; sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically two to three branched racemes per            plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate;            easy to produce.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            18.8 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 45.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 34.8 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            seven per plant.        -   Length.—About 17.9 cm.        -   Width.—About 6.7 cm.        -   Aspect.—Arching.        -   Shape.—Narrowly obovate to elliptic; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Broadly acute, unequal.        -   Base.—Sheathing.        -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Slightly furrowed,            glabrous; matte.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 147A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B; venation,            close to between 137A and darker than 146A. Fully expanded            leaves, lower surface: Close to between 146B and 147B;            venation, close to 146A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two to            three racemes per plant; each inflorescence with about 15            flowers; flowers face outwardly to slightly nodding on            arching inflorescences supported by strong upright            peduncles; flowers with three petals, one petal transformed            into a labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about 18 weeks after            an inductive cooling period.        -   Flower longevity.—Individual flowers maintain good substance            for about three months on the plant; flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 20.6 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 24.1 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.6 cm. Diameter: About 1.4 cm.            Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 151A and 151B;            venation, close to 187B.        -   Flower diameter.—About 7.9 cm by 7.3 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 2.6 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one lower petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 3.9 cm. Width: About 4.8 cm.            Shape: Reniform. Apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture and            luster, upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous, velvety; matte.            Color: When opening, upper surface: Close to NN155D; towards            the base, close to between 72B and 77B; venation, close to            between 72B and 77B. When opening, lower surface: Close to            NN155D; venation, close to 72B. Fully opened, upper surface:            Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to 72B; venation,            close to 72B; color does not fade with development. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to NN155D; venation, close to            72B; color does not fade with development.        -   Labellum.—Appearance: Tri-lobed with two lateral lobes and a            central lobe. Length, lateral and central lobes: About            2.1 cm. Width, lateral lobes: About 1.5 cm. Width, central            lobe: About 2.3 cm. Shape, lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape,            central lobe: Short deltoid to triangular. Apex, lateral            lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two long            narrow recurved cirrose tips. Margins, lateral lobes:            Entire, slightly undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Glabrous,            velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at the base of the            labellum and attachment point of the lateral petals; about 4            mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about 6 mm in height.            Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to            NN155D; towards the basal margins, tinged with close to 8B            to 8C; venation, close to between N78B and NN78B. Central            lobe: Close to NN155D; towards the margins, cirrose apices            and venation, close to N78A; adjacent to cirrose apices,            close to 13B. Callosities: Close to 12B; fine dots, close to            183B. When opening, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to            NN155D; towards the basal margins, tinged with close to 10A;            venation, close to 77B. Central lobe: Close to NN155D;            towards the cirrose apices, close to N80A; adjacent to            cirrose apices, close to 10A; venation, close to N78A to            N78B. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to            NN155D; towards the basal margins, tinged with close to 10A;            venation, close to between N78A. Central lobe: Close to            NN155D; towards the margins, cirrose apices and venation,            close to N78A; adjacent to cirrose apices, close to 13B.            Callosities: Close to 12B; fine dots, close to 183B. Fully            opened, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to NN155D;            towards the basal margins, tinged with close to 10A;            venation, close to 77B. Central lobe: Close to NN155D;            towards the cirrose apices, close to N80A; adjacent to            cirrose apices, close to 10A; venation, close to N78A to            N78B.        -   Sepals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lower lateral            sepals and one upper dorsal sepal. Length, lateral and            dorsal sepals: About 4 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            2.7 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3 cm. Shape, lateral and            dorsal sepals: Ovate. Apex, lateral sepals: Bluntly acute.            Apex, dorsal sepal: Obtuse. Base, lateral and dorsal sepals:            Obtuse to truncate. Margin, lateral and dorsal sepals:            Entire. Texture and luster, lateral and dorsal sepals, upper            and lower surfaces: Glabrous, velvety; matte. Color, lateral            sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to NN155D;            towards the base, fine dots, close to 77A; venation, close            to between 72B and 77B. When opening, lower surface: Close            to NN155D; venation, close to 72B. Fully opened, upper            surface: Close to NN155D; towards the base, fine dots, close            to 77A; venation, close to 72B; color does not fade with            development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to NN155D;            venation, close to 72B; color does not fade with            development. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening, upper            surface: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to between            72B and 77B; venation, close to between 72B and 77B. When            opening, lower surface: Close to NN155D; venation, close to            72B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to NN155D; towards            the base, close to 72B; venation, close to 72B; color does            not fade with development. Fully opened, lower surface:            Close to NN155D; venation, close to 72B; color does not fade            with development.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 49.9 cm. Diameter: About 4.5 mm.            Strength: Very strong. Aspect: Upright to about 30° from            vertical. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte.            Color: Close to between 147A and N199A heavily dotted with            close to 147D.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 60° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 150A to 150B; distally, close to 150D; proximally,            close to 152A to 152B.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.            Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to NN155D;            towards the apex, blushed and tinged with close to 77B.            Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia diameter (per two            pollinia): About 2 mm. Pollinia color: Close to 23A.            Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 2.5 mm. Stigma width: About            4 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color: Close to NN155C.            Ovary length: About 7.8 mm. Ovary diameter: About 2 mm.            Ovary color: Close to lighter than 145D. Seeds and fruits:            Seed and fruit development have not been observed on plants            of the new Phalaenopsis to date.-   Disease & pest resistance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not    been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants to date.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate high temperatures of about 40° C. and suitable    for USDA Hardiness Zone 10.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MI00599’as illustrated and described.